Stunning architecturalapplications shining a light on the potential of anodizing aluminum
Clariant has been providing dyes and colorants for finishing anodized aluminium for more than half
a century and a unique three-way partnership is highlighting the design possibilities using this
special process.
Almost one-hundred years ago aluminum revolutionized the world with the discovery of new
manufacturing processes and strong alloys that were lighter than steel. Today, its properties make
aluminum attractive for many industries including transportation, electrical and packaging,
architecture, and food. As it’s recyclable it also has environmental and economic advantages.
Aluminum creates a sophisticated look that can transform an application and, in many
applications, including architecture, it can be anodized – a process that protects against corrosion,
enhances aesthetics, resists scratching and is very durable.
Just over a decade ago the Belarussian aluminum floor coverings company KTM-2000 decided to
invest seriously in the construction of its own anodizing line and, in addition to its existing
business, it added the anodizing of aluminum façade claddings to its catalogue. The rest, as they
say, is history.
“In 2014 I met Clariant and its distributor for its anodized aluminum colors, Omya. After the
inspiration of these meetings, we decided that Clariant’s dyes could significantly expand KTM2000’s capabilities, and the three-way partnership would help our business gain the experience to
make a unique offer on the market,” said Taras Gvozdkov, CEO of KTM-2000. Clariant’s portfolio
for aluminum finishing for Europe, North Africa and the Middle East is available through its
exclusive distributor Omya (Schweiz) AG.
In quick succession KTM-2000 was commissioned to produce the façade of the Office of the 3rd
line of the Minsk Metro and the façade of the Primakov school in a region of Moscow.
“Clariant and Omya helped KTM-2000 through these projects in a collaborative way, overcoming
challenges through technical consulting and on-site trainings and workshops. The results spoke for
themselves with finishes that display excellent light and weather fastness – unique in the industry,
scratch resistance, corrosion stability, surface hardness, and heavy-metal free formulation,”
explained Andreas van Baerle, Head of Sales Aluminium Finishing EMEA at Omya.
These led to the KTM-2000’s most significant project to date, the Palace of Rhythmic Gymnastics
in Minsk where experience acquired from earlier commissions proved critical. “We had to complete
the project in a very short time and finish a 10’000 square meter facade with 12 different color
shades. It was a real challenge, but we developed 18 new work methods and new technological
approaches to color anodizing. As a result, we completed the project on time and in just 70 days,”
explained Gvozdkov.
Clariant’s palette of high-quality colorants for aluminum finishing is one of the broadest in the
industry, with tailor-made solutions focused on improved sustainability and energy efficiency. The
range of dyes and aluminum finishing chemicals are manufactured according to strict Swiss safety
and environmental requirements and are suitable for outdoor and indoor architectural applications.
The Sanodal® range of dyes, used in this partnership, offers exceptional light and weather
fastness properties, in a broad range of shades.
In addition, based on clients’ complex individual requirements, with Omya, Clariant can offer
technical customer services for all the steps in a production process, operation support, and
workflow optimization, provided locally by Clariant technical centers and regional exclusive
partners wherever possible. This support ensures that dyeing processes are optimized, aiding the
development of special products and solutions to enhance end-products such as car parts,
electrical devices and appliances.
This three-way KTM-2000-Omya-Clariant partnership shows the advantage and possibilities of
working with color and anodized aluminum, and it looks set to continue, “Thanks to the partnership
with Clariant and Omya, KTM-2000 has achieved success and completed some significant
projects, but we believe that the most interesting projects are still ahead!” concludes Gvozdkov.
For more information on Clariant’s aluminum finishing solutions, please visit
www.clariant.com/Aluminum-Finishing.
GLOBAL TRADE MEDIA RELATIONS
Stefanie Nehlsen
Phone +41 61 469 63 63
stefanie.nehlsen@clariant.com
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Sanodal® IS A TRADEMARK OF CLARIANT REGISTERED IN MANY COUNTRIES.
Clariant is a focused, sustainable and innovative specialty chemical company based in Muttenz, near Basel/Switzerland. On 31 December
2020, the company employed a total workforce of 13 235. In the financial year 2020, Clariant recorded sales of CHF 3.860 billion for its continuing
businesses. The company reports in three business areas: Care Chemicals, Catalysis and Natural Resources. Clariant’s corporate strategy is
led by the overarching purpose of ‘Greater chemistry – between people and planet’ and reflects the importance of connecting customer focus,
innovation, sustainability, and people.
Clariant’s Business Unit Pigments is a leading global provider of organic pigments, pigment preparations and dyes. The vastly diverse portfolio
corresponds to the high standards for colors and coatings in industrial, automotive and architectural applications. The business unit also provides
solutions for the plastics industry, for special applications in the aluminum, agricultural and consumer goods sector, as well as for traditional
printing processes, inkjet printing and toner applications. The Pigments business unit continues to bring new and innovative materials to the
market, with a strong emphasis on environmental aspects and sustainability.
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